Debutant Sol Bamba bundled in from close range to double the Bluebirds’ lead, only for Lee Tomlin’s powerful strike to give Bristol City hope.

Tempers flared late on but Cardiff held on to climb out of the relegation zone and up to 19th in the Championship.

After a run of three successive league wins, Bristol City’s defeat sees them stay fifth in the table.

For Warnock, who succeeded Paul Trollope as Cardiff boss, the gutsy display and visceral atmosphere made for a dream start.

The former QPR manager had already made his mark on the squad before a ball was kicked, having signed Bamba, Junior Hoilett, Marouane Chamakh and Kieran Richardson on free transfers within a week of his appointment.

After a subdued start, the match came to life with a moment of opportunism and skill from Noone.

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Sol Bamba scores Cardiff’s second on his debut

He was lucky not to be ruled offside before nutmegging Bryan and drawing a foul which led to the penalty that Whittingham lazily stroked into the bottom corner on 25 minutes.

Bristol City might have felt aggrieved Noone was not flagged offside, but Lee Johnson’s side struggled to replicate the form which had seen them win their previous three Championship fixtures.

Their task became harder when Bamba – imperious defensively – volleyed in from close range after Sean Morrison’s shot had hit the bar midway through the second half.

The visitors fought back immediately with Tomlin’s swerving 20-yard shot but, with Cardiff’s Lex Immers lying on the ground as the ball went in, the goal sparked a melee which saw the hosts’ Aron Gunnarsson and Tammy Abraham of Bristol City both booked.

Bristol City had a glorious late chance to equalise but substitute Bobby Reid shot over the bar from just a yard out.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol: “We’re hurting – it’s a derby and we didn’t want to lose it.

“We were really poor in the first half and I didn’t feel that we played our game.

“It’s disappointing, but in the big picture, we’ve still had a decent start and we have to learn our lessons from this one.”